The Poodle Yorkie mix, often called the Yorkipoo, is a mix between a Toy Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier. These two breeds combined the low shedding, trainability, and intelligence of a Poodle with the bold nature of the Yorkie while toning down its stubbornness and independence. You’ll find that these dogs are adorable as puppies and are fully of playfulness and sass. They make great companion dogs for your family, but before you decide to go with the Yorkipoo for your family, take a closer look at the hybrid’s appearance, history, grooming needs, temperament, and health.
Origin and History
Crossbreeds, such as the Yorkipoo, have been in high demand over the last couple of decades. People are looking for dogs that are very different or they want dogs with specific characteristics, which is why hybrids have risen in popularity. Unfortunately, no one is quite sure when the Poodle Yorkie mix came into being. However, we can learn more about these dogs by looking at the history and origin of both the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle.
The Yorkshire Terrier has its roots in England, and it was designed to hunt down and kill rats and various other rodents in Yorkshire England. It’s thought that these dogs actually trace back to the Waterside Terrier, a dog that was common in the Yorkshire area. While all the Yorkie’s ancestors are unknown, experts believe that some of the breeds that may have helped create the Yorkie include the Skye Terrier, the Black and Tan English Terrier, the Leeds Terrier, the Clydesdale Terrier, the Matlese Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier. Over time, these dogs became very popular as companion dogs, especially for ladies of high society. They were bred to be smaller in size over time so they made more portable lap dogs. In 1885, the Yorkie was recognized as a member of the AKC’s Toy Group, and the dogs continue to be popular in the United States today.
The Toy Poodle has a history that is less well known, and we’re not sure about the exact origins of these dogs. However, we do know that they were used as water dogs, retrieving dogs, and hunting dogs as early as the 1400s in Europe. They have long been loyal companion dogs as well.
Appearance
The Yorkipoo is a very small dog, and they usually only weigh between 6 and 12 pounds, even once they are full grown. They have a short body and short legs, so they are best suited to be an indoor dog. These dogs have luxurious, long hair that looks beautiful. It may be straight, wavy, or very curly. Their coat comes in many different shades, including apricot, solid black, black and tan, and white. In most cases, their ears are a bit erect like that of the Yorkie.
Yorkipoo Temperament
You can expect your Yorkipoo to be very spunky and lively. They love life and they get attached to family members very quickly. The Yorkipoo loves people and is very affectionate. These dogs love to cuddle and they’re happy to curl up and snuggle with you for hours. Since they love to be with people so much, they won’t do well if you leave them alone for a long time. They can experience separation anxiety, which will result in unwanted behavior.
The Poodle Yorkie mix is extremely smart, and they can get into mischief if they aren’t well trained. It’s important to make sure you begin training these dogs when they are very young. They aren’t aggressive at all, but they can be stubborn if you don’t start training early. With a bit of dedication and plenty of encouragement and praise, these dogs are fairly easy to train.
Since they have quite a bit of energy, it is important to make sure they get exercise and play time. They will enjoy playing with toys, and you can easily train them to play fetch. It’s also a good idea to take your Poodle Yorkie mix on regular walks to wear off some of their energy.
Grooming
While the Poodle Yorkie mix doesn’t usually shed very much, these dogs still require quite a bit of grooming because of their long coat. They need to be brushed nearly every day to prevent tangling, and regular trims are important as well. Caring for the ears of your Yorkipoo is very important, so make sure they are kept clean and dry to prevent infections. Nails should be regularly trimmed and since they are small, oral hygiene will be very important, so ensure their teeth are brushed frequently.
Working Roles
The Poodle Yorkie mix is more suited to be a companion dog and is rarely used in working roles.
Health
Usually you can expect the Poodle Yorkie mix to have an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years, since they are fairly healthy dogs. They are usually healthier than their parents, but they can have some of the hereditary disorders and defects from either the Yorkie or the Poodle. Some of the potential health concerns to be aware of include:
- Hypoglycemia
- Alopecia
- Bladder stones
- Elbow dysplasia
- Cataracts
- Cryptorchidism
- Patellar luxation
- Distichiasis
- Short hair syndrome of silky breeds
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypoplasia of the dens
- Collapsing trachea
- Hepatic lipidosis
- Legg-Calve-Perthese disease
- Keratitis
- Microvascular portal dysplasia
- Endocardiosis
- Retinal detachment
- Hydrocephalus
- Portosystemic shunts
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- Testicular neoplasia
- Portosystemic shunts
- Atlantoaxial subluxation
- Addison’s disease
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Juvenile renal disease
- Bloat
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Hip dysplasia